Apparel Production & Operations Assistant Manager (Embroidery / DTF)

24H Print & Embroidery is hiring a Shop Assistant Manager who has managed entry-level production teams, who is used to setting the standard of what is accepted, and holding entry level employees accountable. We care as much about how you treat the people you lead as we do about your throughput numbers.

YOU MIGHT BE THE RIGHT FIT IF:

• You've been the person everyone comes to when a machine goes down, and you've quietly wished the shop ran better than it does.
• You’re someone who is passionate about following the exact system.
• You care about helping your team understand why something is imporrant. Not just forcing them to do it.
• You notice when a new hire is struggling before they say anything.
• You've trained someone with zero experience and watched them turn into a solid operator.
• You get more satisfaction from a clean week — no reruns, no late orders, no scrambling — than from personally saving the day.
• You know the difference between a team that's busy and a team that's productive.
• You're comfortable being hands-on at a machine and equally comfortable telling someone their work isn't meeting standard.

THIS IS PROBABLY NOT FOR YOU IF:

• You want a defined lane with someone above you making the calls.
• You'd rather run production yourself than teach four people to run it.
• You're looking for a role that stays the same size as the company grows.

BENEFITS/WHY THIS ROLE: A real promotion track.

• We're scaling significantly through 2027, and the leadership seats above this one, including General Manager are currently empty. We would rather promote the person who built the floor than hire an outsider to run it.
• Base Pay Commission on your team's output. You earn on the production of the crew you manage.
• We're hiring aggressively through 2027. You'll have real input on who joins your floor, how they're trained, and how the operation is structured.

ABOUT US:

24H Print & Embroidery is a growing apparel decoration and manufacturing company in Fredericksburg, VA. We specialize in high-quality commercial embroidery, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, and custom apparel production. We are seeking an experienced, business-minded Shop Manager to own day-to-day operations, lead floor execution, build efficient systems, and drive profitability.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

This is a pivotal leadership role for a hands-on operations professional. You will be directly responsible for production throughput, quality control, inventory control, and workforce management. You will bridge the gap between technical machine operations and business strategy—building Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that allow entry-level team members to consistently perform at high standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Hands-On Floor Leadership & Equipment Operation:

• Manage and execute production using commercial multi-needle embroidery machines (Melco / Bravo 12-needle systems), direct-to-film (DTF) printers, and commercial heat presses.
• Perform routine machine setup, tension adjustments, minor maintenance, and troubleshooting to keep equipment running at peak performance.
• Inspect finished garments to ensure flawless stitching, vibrant prints, and proper application adherence before order fulfillment.

2. SOP Development & Process Optimization:

• Enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for every floor function. Including hooping techniques, DTF curing, heat press temperature calibration, and order staging.
• Build step-by-step training modules to rapidly onboard and upskill entry-level production staff.

3. Team Leadership & Accountability:

• Hire, train, and manage entry-level production workers and machine operators.
• Perform daily/weekly Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied directly to SOPs (e.g., units per hour, error rate under 2%, order turnaround time).
• Hold the team accountable through daily stand-ups, active floor management, and constructive performance reviews.

4. Inventory Control & Business Strategy:

• Implement cycle-counting and inventory tracking for raw garments, thread, backing, DTF film, powder, and ink to prevent stockouts and minimize waste..
• Analyze scrap rates, material waste, and labor hours per job to maximize profit margins.

5. Manage fufilment deparment and direct to film department

• Hold employees in fufilment and direct to film department to the same standard as the embroidery department with prouctivity, KPI's, and responsibilites.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Technical Experience: 3 years of direct experience operating commercial multi-needle embroidery machinery (Melco/Bravo preferred) and direct-to-film (DTF) / heat press equipment.
• Leadership Experience: 2 years in a shop management, lead technician, or production supervisor role.
• Systems Focus: Demonstrated track record of creating written SOPs, training entry-level workers, and managing floor KPIs.
• Business Acumen: Ability to evaluate job costs, and manage inventory levels
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods, lift boxes/blank apparel up to 40 lbs, and operate shop equipment safely.
• Location: Ability to commute reliably to our Fredericksburg, VA location.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your resume along with a brief description or cover letter highlighting your experience with multi-needle embroidery equipment (Melco/Bravo), DTF printing, and team leadership.

Pay: $20.00 - $27.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Relocation assistance

Application Question(s):

• Are you available to work every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday?
• When would be an ideal start date for you?
• Do you have at least 3 years experience with operating industrial embroidery machines?
• Do you have at least 3 years experience with managing a team?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $27